South African two-division world champion Hekkie “Hexecutioner” Budler may have some advantage over Milan “El Metodico” Melindo after the latter struggled to make weight for his first world title defense tonight in the main event of Pinoy Pride 42: Clash For Glory at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino.
The 29-year-old Budler (31-2-0, 10KOs) was all smiles and was in tip-top shape when he hit the weighing scales yesterday at the SM City Cebu event center. The reigning IBO world junior flyweight king made the contracted weight of 108 pounds on his first try.
Melindo (36-2-0,13KOs), however, struggled to make weight. He initially weighed in at 109.25 pounds. IBF officials gave him two hours to make the contracted weight of 108 pounds for the world title bout to push through.
After spending time in a sauna, Melindo finally made weight on his second try. But he had to be stripped naked to hit the limit.
Budler’s camp was disappointed with the development.
“We did not travel halfway around the world for this. If he don’t make the weight, it’s a big disrespect for the sport,” said Budler’s trainer Nathan Colin before Melindo made weight.
Cebu Daily News noticed that, despite making weight, the prized 29-year-old boxer of the ALA Boxing Gym looked dehydrated and pale.
Still, Budler isn’t thinking he has an advantage.
“Sometimes it’s an advantage, sometimes it’s not. What’s important is that I am super ready right now,” he said. “I feel strong. I feel conditioned.”
Budler is trying to make Melindo his sixth Filipino victim. He already beat Filipino boxers Renan Trongco, Florante Condes, Michael Landero, Juanito Rubillar and Joey Canoy.
Meanwhile, Jonas “Zorro” Sultan (13-2-0, 16KOs) and Johnriel “Quadro Alas” Casimero (24-3-0, 15KOs) easily made the contracted weight in their IBF world super flyweight title eliminator.
Sultan weighed in 114.75 pounds while Casimero, the former IBF flyweight champion and two-division world champion, weighed in at 115 pounds.
On the other hand, WBO ranked number three junior welterweight contender Jason “El Niño” Pagara (40-2-0, 25KOs) and his opponent James Onyango (23-11-1,19KOs) of Kenya weighed in at 147lbs and 146lbs, respectively, for their 10-rounder welterweight non-title showdown.